WME/IMG acquires UFC

Today's big deal is that WME/IMG has agreed to acquire UFC, the mixed martial arts powerhouse, with private equity backing from Silver Lake (already a WME investor), KKR and entities affiliated with Michael Dell. No financial terms are being disclosed, but sources put the price tag at around $4 billion. – Dan Primack

So, Dana White was actually lying when he said the company is not for sale. The once called unpopular, small-niche sport of men and women brutally pounding each-other has its owners feeling good after the Fertitta Brothers bought it for $2 million in 2000.

The 20+ year old league now has fights regularly showing in over 150 countries and legal in all 50 states. Additionally, 45% of its audience is made up of millennials.

This fact got me thinking, 45% of the audience is made up of millennials, so why sell it now? I know $4 billion dollars is more than a hefty return for White and the Fertitta Brothers, but couldn’t they sell it for much more down the line once UFC gains even more popularity? To be honest, I never thought it would become this popular and I don’t know if the fans did either, but people I wouldn’t even have imagined being into UFC enjoy watching it and honestly, I might give it a try.

Thoughts?